Automatic switching apparatus



Oct. 25, 1932.

E. O. ZWIETUSCH AUTOMATIC SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 12, 1950 5 Sheets-Shree"v INVENTOR Oct- 25, l932- E. o. zwu-:TuscH AUTOMATIC swTTcHING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. l2, 1950 fNvENToR DUARD OTTO zwlETU CH AT TORN EY Oct. 25, 1932. E. o. zwlE'ruscH AUTOMATIC SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 12, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheei I5 INVENTOR EDUARD OTTO ZWIETUSCH ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 25, 1932 EJNITEB STATES PATENT OFFCE EDUMID OTTO ZWIETUSCH, OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA, ASSIGNOR T0 INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ELECTRIC CORPORATIGN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC SWITCHING APPARATUS Application led December 12, 1930, Serial No. 501,897, and in. Austria December 24, 1929.

rlhis invention relates to automatic switching apparatus and more particularly to two-motion automatic switches such as are used in automatic telephone systems.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified form of such a two-motion automatic switch, which shows a very compact structure, while its etliciency and functions are fully maintained.

According to one feature of the invention a two motion switch is provided in which both longitudinal and rotary motion of the wipers are eiiected by a member which is driven in one only of said directions by means of an operating magnet, and in which the change-over from one direction to the other is eiected by a clutch device associated with said men'iber, and in which the said clutch device is directly controlled by an auxiliary armature of the said operating magnet.

According to another feature of the invention a selector switch is provided having two selective motions one of which serves to move the movable contact organ or organs to a particular row of iixed bank contacts, whilst the other serves to move said organ or organs to a particular contact or set of contacts of said row, and in which the said organ or organs are mounted on a carriage comprising a rack adapted to cooperate in such a manner with a rotatable drum having a plurality of helical teeth that upon a relative movement of the raclr and the drum during the rotation of the latter part, the carriage is caused to perform one of the two selective motions.

According to another feature of the invention the operating magnet is provided with an auxiliary armature which is made slow acting whereby it fails to follow the impulses which actuate the main armature to operate the switch, said auxiliary armature (1o-operating with the clutch device to control the latter between trains of impulses.

According to a further feature said member taires the form of a spiral toothed rotary drum which co-operates with a rack on a wiper carrying element in such a manner as to effect longitudinal movement thereof.

According to still another feature the said clutch device takes the form of a lever pivoted on the rotary brush carriage guide and arranged to cooperate with a series of stops on the rotary drum whereby the brush carriage may be locked for movement with said drum, the movement of said lever for engaging the said stops being controlled by the auxiliary armature of the operating magnet.

It is believed that a complete understanding of the invention will be had from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which Fig. l is a side-view of the selector mechanism.

Fig. 2 gives a top view of the selector including a portion of the Contact bank.

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of a portion of the selector mechanism.

Fig. 4: is a sectional view of the selector mechanism taken at right angles to Fig. 3 and showing at a, b and c, a detail in various positions.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a side view of a portion of the drum 5 showing at a, Z) and c various positions of the locking device.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an electromagnet, suitable for the selector according to this invention.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are respectively plan, side elevation and end elevation views of the electromagnet.

rihe principal parts of the selector will first be briefly described and their interrelation and operation will be described more in detail hereafter. The reference 26 designates the main frame of the selector, l is the electromagnet supported thereby and having two armatures 2 and 13 respectively of which 2 is a fast armature capable of responding to impulses, whereas 13 is a slow releasing armature which fails to respond to impulses but operates at the commencement of each train of impulses and releases at the end thereof to perform a changeover operation from vertical to rotary movement of the brushes. 14 is a sub-frame rotatably mounted on a spindle 2l on the main frame and comprising a vertical slide in which the brush carriage 7 is slidably mounted. 5 is a toothed drum rotatably mounted on the spindle 21 and adapted to be driven by the paWl and ratchet gear 3, 4 from the tast armature 2, the teeth 6 on the drum cooperating With the 'rack 8 on the brush :carriage 7 to impart vertical motion to the -brush Acarriage When the sub-trame 14 is heldL against rotation. 9 is the return spring for the drum 5. 14o is a bracket secured'to the vsub-frame 14 and having pivotally supported `in it on the pin 140 a paWl or locking device 11 which on the one hand cooperates with an extension 13a of the slowarmature 13 and on vtheother cooperates with teeth cut on the lower peripheryl of the drum This pawl 11therefore constitutes 'a clutch device 'by which 'the drum is operatively connected Withthe subframe14 for rotation of the' brush carriage 7 thereby. 2116is ya ratcliet'wheel yiiXed cn the stationary. spindle 21 and with Awhich cooperatest the spring pa'Wl 15 onthe sub-iframe 14 Wherebythe `sub-traine isiretained. in positionagainsttheiaction of ,thef return spring 9. Arpin v19 on :the .drum Y5 cooperates'withthe paWl 1.5 toi release itfrom theratchet Wheell on the return motion of'lthe selector. Jilpin 13 onthesub'efraine 114 servesg towtension the leaf-spring 17 during setting of the selector and .Wlienfreleased this spring serves toV reset thepawvl .llall-fasfhereinafter fully described.

Referring first tof Figs. 1; andz21which vshowt7 the zintererelaitiron ofthe parts of th'eselector it will 'beseenfthat the-selector comprises a trame22fl to4 which. is; .attached the lcont-ac 23 and the electromagnet 1 with its two armatures2 and :13 (the electromagnetand its two armatures will be' described later).

1T he ar1nature 2 carries at one end adri'ving pawlf 3rengaging =a Aratchet'gear 4. This gear is rigidly connectedlwi'thf a 'drumy 5 arranged rotatably. on a stationary @shaft f 21. "ll

drum has onitsoutsidevaplinfality 'of helicalv threads or helical gear teeth tl'respectively, Whereas inside,the'drunris recessed so fas toreceiveaspiral spring 9'fsee Figs. 3 Yand`4 one end of which is fastened to the stationary shaft 21,Whereas the other end is vfastened to tli'ezdrnm. V:The inultiple ispiral'thread engagesal rackv 3r` Which'is rigidly ,connectedwith the?brus'h'carriagef?. .The spring 9 :tends to rotate .the drum -in snchray direction that, through fthe medium .ot ith-ei retaining: parti-.11 andthef'stop 12'zthe .lug 14a on the slidez14 is pressed against :the trameQ. The-'edge et theel-rum provided With asuitablenuin ber .otspecially 'termed Vteeth l(see .'Fig. '6). The retaining rpaWl 11 which is mounted rotatablyzonthe slide 14'for tliebrnsh carriage 7.i1s. arranged' to coaict vwith lsaid teeth. @ne tothe Faction ioi the spring 22, the retaining pawl .ten'risto engagewith the teethot the drum 5 entirely; but isfprerentedifrom doing so, l`when i' the vselector is inv Aits normal posithereby prevents tli iis likewise arranged to rotate about the shaft' 21. ln the initial position of the selector the paw?. 15.y isprevented tremzengaging the gear 16 by the pin 19 mounted on the drum 5. Likewise in the initial positionotthe selector the spring stop 2O loclisI thefslide 14 against rot-ationl bylfthe pawl 111. yThe `rslide 1f41also carries a. projection r18 -Whiehduring the rotationoiithe'slide y14 tensions 'the spring 1? and releasesit later on (asexplained when describing'fthe method of operating) 'llfhen lthe selector is f used either; as `group selector oraslafcennector, its operation is as follow-s:

They incomingi-mpulses cause magnet 1to attract i'ts'armatines 2 and -lllh'ereastie armatu je' 13is'inade' 'to releaseslowlyby suitab-lemeans (Vto'be described later) and consequently dees 'not fellow the impulses, the armature 2 tollows'the limpulses and rotates by lmeansof-the 'driving pawl- 3,the--gear 4 an'df'the drum 5 connected with same. 'Dependingupon the extent tol which tliebru-sh slidei I.toibe lifted,themuleiplethreads ot the helnr of the drum- 5consecutively'engage theeteeth of the fracltS-fand-thus lift the centact brushes24 correspondingto the number of thelirstrseries otiinpulses. Duringthis operation thef-'brush `carriage' 7 slides in'v the slide 14. --After the f first Vertical -step oitl the selectonfthe lpaWl l-lslides v.from position@ (Fig. 6 to positionl b )and isiprefvented lby the arm Y13a on the attracted?armature 13 from completely enga g: with thev 'th of' drum (i as-shoWn-fat o infFig. 6. ig'these inipu-lses cansingtle elevation ot the bruslvs thelocling part yacts as a retaining pawlf and ie drinn 5'troininaling a returnI movement. Y

The interval between thetirstand second series ol rimg nilses causes Aboth armatures 2 and y13A of the magnet 1 to release, the latter ieleesingwthe-locking device 11 (as shown at which is'now'lfree toperfectly enth teeth oit the drinn 5 and'assuines the ion shown at c in Fig' 6. This brings abouttherigid coupling betweenfthe slide 14 'the drinn 5, bearing the ratchet gear'4. ie sain time the lower end of the lorkini device 11 d 0f t A t @which far .pre Y, Y tation. "ihe lector' however, is held stationary by the ThisV unt-il a new series of impulses operates the magnet.

This new series of impulses causes the magnet 1 to again attract both its armatures. Each impulse as described above, `acts on the ratchet gear 4 through magnet 1, armature 2 and driving pawl 3. But owing to the rigid coupling between the slide 14 and the drum 5 both will rotate and with them also the brush carriage 7, until the brushes have reached the terminal of the contact arc corresponding to this series of impulses. The pawl 15 locks the drum by engaging the stationary gear 16. The armature 13 has no effect, since the lower portion of the locking device has been removed from its reach.

At the end of the conversation the rotation described above is continued by suitable means until the brush 24 has passed the last terminal of the arc. During this period the pin 18 has tensioned the spring 17 which is immediately released when the brushes no longer engage the contacts. The spring 17 is so shaped as to be released by the bolt 18 When the last terminal has been reached. The spring then strikes the locking device 11 removing the latter from the teeth of the drum 5. This unlocks the coupling between the slide 14 and the drum 5. The drum 5 is now free to rotate backward under the action of the spiral spring, thus returning the set of brushes downward into its initial level. The return motion of drum 5 continues until the stop 12 on the drum 5 reaches pawl 11. the same moment the pin 19 reaches the pawl 15, lifts it from the ratchet 16, thus releasing the lock against a return movement of the slide 14 which under the action of the spring 9 returns to its initial position in which the pawl 11 engages the spring stop 20, and the selector is again in its initial position.

The selector may be equipped with the requisite sets of supplementary spring contacts which may operate at various positions and in various circuits. They are not shown, because they are not a feature of the invention.

The contact brushes may be connected in the usual manner.

Referring now toFigs. 7 to 10 which illustrate a suitable construction of electromagnet for the selector, it will be seen that the electromagnet comprises two flat cores 101 carrying the coils 102. The two cores are mounted on a common support 103 (Fig. 8). At one end both coils extend beyond the cores and these extended coil ends receive a U-shaped armature 4 which is drawn into the coils. The armature is pivoted on the shaft 5 and its prolongation carries the driving awl. tion of the electromagnet a double air-gap causes the magnet lines of force to disappear rapidly, so that the armature will operate quickly. The armature 4 is the equiva- Due to the two-core construclent of the armature 2 in Figs. 1 and 2. At the opposite end the two cores are slotted, so that each core is divided and has two subdivisions. One of these subdivisions on each core is provided with copper blocks 6, whereas the opposite core subdivisions are not provided with such blocks. Therefore, if the current is closed or interrupted, a phase displacement with respect to the originating and disappearing magnetism will occur in the pairs of subdivisions provided with copper blocks as against the other pair of subdivisions. This phase displacement is effective when the armature 7 which is rotatable around the shaft 8 is attracted and operates to retard the release of the armature when the current is interrupted. It therefore does not release until a series of current interruptions ceases. This armature 7 is the equivalent of the armature 13 of Figs. 1 and 2. At one end the retarded armature is provided with a stop which in connection with the selector performs various operations as referred to in the description and as shown in Fig. 4 at a, b and c.

What is claimed is:

1. A two-motion selector switch comprising in combination an electro-magnet, a member which is driven in one direction by said electro-magnet, means whereby both longitudinal and rotary motion of the switch wipers are effected by said member and means whereby the change over from one direction to the other is effected between trains of impulses.

2. A two-motion selector switch comprising in combination an electro-magnet, a member which is driven in one direction by said electro-magnet, means whereby both longitudinal and rotary motion of the switch wipers are effected by said member, and means controlled by an auxiliary armature of said electro-magnet whereby the change over from one direction to the other is effected.

3. A two-motion selector switch comprising in combination an electro-magnet having two armatures, a member which is driven in one direction by one of said armatures, means whereby both longitudinal and rotary motion of the switch wipers are edected by said member, and means under the control of the other armature for effecting the change over from one direction to the other.

4. A two-motion selector switch comprising in combination an electro-magnet having two armatures, a member which is driven in one direction by one of said armatures, means whereby both longitudinal and rotary motion of the switch wipers are effected by said member, and a clutch device associated with said member and adapted to be controlled by the other armature of said electromagnet to effect the change over from one direction to the other.

5. A two-motion selector switch comprisiso ingiinzsoombination an electro-:magnet having two armatureg oafmember zfwhiohzis driven in @one direction by: one i of said .farmatures means `Wher'ebyfvboth longitudinal andirotary motion oftzthe switohnwiperslare eife'ete'dzbyV said member, andfmeans :under the vcontrol ofthe otheriarmaturef forsei'fecting otherl change over .'Efrom ione direction 'to tlre rother, fisait other :armature being i'fslow acting whereby it r fail-sito ffollow f the impulses which uaetufate thef'first mentioned armature.

6. A two-:motion: selector 'switch vcompris-k ingV 1in eombintion ban electro-magnet, :a toothed. drumezulaptedk to :be rotatedby said eleetroemagnet, .a longitudinally imoyable Wiper :carrying fmember :opera-tively oonneoted With-said toothed 'drum and Aadapted to vbe 'moved .in 'i the longitudinal direction thereby and meansunderfcontrol of said electro -magnetgto A eonneetwsaid Wiper f carrying member Withlsaid too'thedvdrum forzrotation thereby. l

'7. twoemotion -seleotor..A switch compris-` ingl in combination 1a 'frame,1 anl eleCtro-'mzagnet mounted on saidwframe,V astoothedfdrum rotatably mounted on said rameeand adapted to 'be lrotated by van :armature of said 1 eleotro-magnet7 :a: `sub-'frame comprising ra lslide rotatably `:mounted :on said'first framewfaf Wiper Carriage slidablyanountediinsaid slide and having xfa raeksengaging saidy toothed drum an'd selective means whereby frotation ofsaiddrumis efe'ctiveeto movezthe Wiper carriage inssaid slide land toirrotate said subframe. i

"8. A i two-motionf-seleotor w- 'switch vcomprising in Combinationa'ramefml -electromag' net Vm ounted on said frame ,i a :toothed drum rotatablyI mounted on said; framefandiadapted tobe'rotated by Aa ypaWl and ratchet gear operated by `an arirrature of saidelectro-inagnet, a sub-frame eomprising :la `slide rotatably mounted on ysaid frame7 a Wiper earriagesli'dablyl mountedin said slide `and*having-a rack engaging sadtoothed drum, a -pluralitypf stops on said drum and a clutehmember pivoted on said Asubwframe'and `adapted to engage saidfstops';toaeluteh-said sub-:frame to said. "drum"y for Irotation thereby.

9, A two-motion seleetorswitohcomprising in combination a'tframe, an eleetroemagnet mounted on said'frame a toothed drum rotatably mounted on saidiframe andadaptedto berotatedbyawpawlY and ratchet gear operatedl i by ,anA armature oi ysra-id electro-maguet7 a sub-frame comprising a slide .rotatably mounted ably mounted 'insa-id slide and having a raelr engaging said 4toothed drum, a ,plurality of stops on sa-iddrumfa elutohmember pivoted on said subsframe andw'ad'apted' to engage said stops to vClutohsaid sub-framezto said .drum :tor rotation thereby and: means Icontrolled by an auxiliary armature of saidA electro-magnet on saidframe, awipercarriage slidfor ycontrolling moviement zof said :clutch member.

vl0,V A'tWofmotion-seleetor.switch :comprisin f Y in f :combination f a frame, an electro-magnet: mounted on said yfran-ie-,fsaid 'electro-mag! nethaving a mainrfarmature which is quick acting; and adaptedto be operated inaceo-rdance with' trains of `Current impulses transniiftted'to said velectroz-magnet and Van 'auxiliaryarmature rWhich isgslo/Wtorelease and adapted vto remain f operated through such trains of current imliiulsesf-ar.toothed'drum rotatably mounted on; said frame and adapted to 'be rotated Vby said main armature, v a subframe Comprising I a` slide yrota'sa'bly y'mounted i;

ing` in combination: afra'me,"an:electrofmag` net mounted on saidframe, said: eleotromag net having amainfarmature which isquiel acting and adapted to :be operated in accordanee .with.trains'offourrent impulses transmittedV to ysaid electro-magnet and an. aix-Xiliary larmature which is lslowrzto vrelease and adapted fto remain operated through such trains or current impulses7 ia tootheddrum rotatably mountedon said frame andtadapted to *be rotated/by said main armature, a return springl for said drum, a sub-frame Comprising a slide rotatably' mounted fon vsaid iframe, a

Wiper carriage slidably mounted in said: slide and having .a 'raelr'engaging said toothed drum, aplural1ty of slotsin said 'drum,:a clutch member piyote'd on said sub-frame and adapted to engage said slots, a lever opera tively connected Withfsaid auxiliary armature and adapted to prevent'engagement of said clutch member .Withsaid slots during apirst train'ofzimpulses, a stop member adapted to engage saidcluteli member to prevent rotation'of the sub-frame when said Clutch member is out of engagement with said slots and means operateddurin'g the setting motion of the switch to effect its `return to normal.

12. A-tWo-motion selector switch as claimed inelaim ll in which the clutch memberis under the Control ora spring which normally tends to move said clutch member into engagement With thev slots in the drum and in which. a spring,` membertensioned during'rotation of the drum isvadapted to cooperate with said' clutch .memberitoforce thelatter out of engagement :with said slots at; the fend of the rotary movement of the drum in one direction, to allow said drum to return to normal position under the influence of said return spring.

13. A. two-motion selector switch comprising in combination an electro-magnet, a member which is adapted to be driven in one direction by said electro-magnet, a return spring for said member, means whereby both l@ longitudinal and rotary motion of the switch wipers are effected by said member, a clutch device adapted to effect the change over from one direction to the other, and means operated during the movement of said member to ef- 15 feet the return of the switch Wipers to normaiL position.

in witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of November 1930.

EDUARD OTTO ZWIETUSCH. 

